体坛英语新闻：Deportivo beat Hercules 1-0 in dull encounter

MADRID, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Deportivo la Coruna beat Hercules 1- 0 in a dull game to end matchday 14 in the Spanish La Liga on Monday.

Deportivo striker Lassad scored the only goal in a lackluster match which saw most of the play take place in the middle of the park as Hercules failed to find a way through what is becoming an increasingly impressive Deportivo defense.

Although Hercules fielded in form strikers David Trezeguet and Nelson Valdez, the first half saw few chances and the only shots on target came from long range shots.

The best chance of the half saw Deportivo keeper Dani Aranzubia make a decent save from Valdez, but on the whole there was little entertainment in a match where the majority of the play was in midfield.

At least the first half had shots on target, but it proved to be a dull affair with neither of the two goalkeepers tested until the 74th minute.

Out of virtually nowhere, Deportivo took the lead thanks to Lassad, who headed home a ball from Colotto from inside the Hercules box.

It was disappointing defending for the visitors who had hardly suffered at the back all game.

Hercules tried to respond and managed to send a handful of crosses into the Deportivo penalty area, but Aranzubia was never troubled and the home side had few problems in holding on to take a valuable three points.

Spain's other games, which were played on Saturday saw Barcelona win 3-0 away to Osasuna, while Real Madrid had a controversial 2-0 triumph over Valencia and Villarreal defeated Sevilla 1-0.